Intracerebral hemorrhage, also known as intracerebral hemorrhage or cerebral hemorrhage, is a sudden and extremely dangerous brain disease that threatens life beyond ignorance.
When the body is in a restful state of sleep, certain abnormal signals may indicate a potential risk of intracerebral hemorrhage.
Abnormal signal 1: severe headache
Severe headache is one of the common precursors of intracerebral hemorrhage. When blood rushes into brain tissue, it rapidly increases pressure within the skull, putting pressure on nerve cells, causing severe pain.
This type of headache is usually very intense and distinct from a normal headache. Sudden, intense headaches during sleep, especially those that have not been experienced before, can be a warning sign of a brain hemorrhage and require immediate medical attention.
Studies have shown that the process of blood rushing into brain tissue during intracerebral hemorrhage is similar to a sudden flood that quickly floods the "home" of nerve cells, a condition that causes severe pain.
Whereas ordinary headaches are often accompanied by a slow process of increasing pain, headaches caused by intracerebral hemorrhages are sudden, like a sudden storm.
Abnormal signal 2: drooling
Drooling is also a potential warning sign of intracerebral hemorrhage. Intracerebral hemorrhage can cause damage to the motor nerves in the brain that control saliva production, preventing saliva from being expelled normally in the mouth.
Under normal circumstances, the secretion of saliva is like a well-regulated faucet, and under normal circumstances, it turns on or off as needed.
However, a cerebral hemorrhage can affect the control system of this "faucet", causing saliva to flow out uncontrollably, similar to a leaking faucet.
Abnormal signal 3: numbness on one side or limb
Numbness or weakness in one limb is another important warning sign. When intracerebral hemorrhage occurs, the location of the bleeding directly compresses or damages the corresponding brain area, resulting in numbness or weakness in one limb.
This impairment may manifest as movement impairment in one limb or difficulty speaking.
This phenomenon can be likened to a circuit failure. The brain is like a complex electrical system, and cerebral hemorrhage is equivalent to a short circuit or open circuit in the circuit, causing the "electricity" in the corresponding part to be unable to transmit normally, causing numbness or weakness in the limbs.
Studies have shown that the incidence of intracerebral hemorrhage increases during specific periods of time, especially in the early morning, in the late afternoon, and in the evening before falling asleep.
These time periods are closely related to our daily lives and physiological mechanisms.
For example, when you wake up in the morning, your blood pressure and heart rate will change greatly, putting the vascular system under greater pressure, which can easily lead to the rupture of blood vessels and cause cerebral hemorrhage.
The occurrence of intracerebral hemorrhage is related to a variety of factors
High blood pressure is one of the main risk factors for intracerebral hemorrhage.
Long-term high blood pressure puts excessive pressure on the walls of blood vessels, causing them to become fragile and prone to rupture. High blood pressure can also cause cerebrovascular malformations and aneurysms, which are potential causes of intracerebral hemorrhage.
In addition to hypertension, cerebrovascular malformations, aneurysms, intracranial tumors, hemorrhagic strokes, and trauma are also common causes of intracerebral hemorrhage.
Cerebrovascular malformation refers to a structural abnormality of the cerebral blood vessels, which can be congenital or acquired. An aneurysm is a weak point in the wall of a blood vessel that causes bleeding when it swells and eventually ruptures.
Intracranial tumors can compress surrounding blood vessels, increasing the risk of rupture. Hemorrhagic strokes are usually caused by the rupture of a blood vessel caused by high blood pressure. Trauma, such as a car accident or fall, can cause a sharp blow to the head, resulting in a brain hemorrhage.
The key to preventing intracerebral hemorrhage is to control and manage risk factors. For people with high blood pressure, it's crucial to monitor your blood pressure regularly and keep it in the normal range.
People who are already at risk of intracerebral hemorrhage, such as cerebral vascular malformations or aneurysms, may need surgery or other medical interventions to reduce the risk of bleeding.
For example, interventional radiological surgery can treat an aneurysm and prevent it from rupturing. This type of surgery is similar to installing a "safety valve" in the blood vessels, and minimally invasive surgery is used to repair weak points in the blood vessel walls and prevent the occurrence of cerebral hemorrhage.
Once a cerebral hemorrhage occurs, time is of the essence. Immediate medical intervention can save lives and reduce long-term disability.
First aid measures include stabilizing the patient's vital signs, reducing intracranial pressure, and transferring the patient to a fully capable medical facility as soon as possible.
Treatment may include surgery to remove the hematoma to reduce pressure within the skull or medications to control symptoms.
Rehabilitation is also an important part of intracerebral hemorrhage treatment, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy to help patients regain function.
Rehabilitation can be likened to retraining the brain and body to co-ordinate, like teaching a person to walk and talk again.
Some lifestyle habits can also increase the risk of intracerebral hemorrhage
Long-term unhealthy lifestyles such as staying up late, sitting for long periods of time, excessive alcohol consumption and smoking can cause damage to the cerebral blood vessels and significantly increase the risk of cerebral hemorrhage.
Modern life is fast-paced, and staying up late has become the norm for many people. However, the health hazards of staying up late for a long time cannot be ignored. Staying awake at night can interfere with the body's biological clock, leading to endocrine disorders.
Studies have shown that staying up late reduces the amount of oxygen supplied to the brain and increases the risk of blood clots in the cerebral arteries.
In addition, sleep deprivation keeps the brain from getting enough rest and recovery, further increasing the risk of intracerebral hemorrhage. It can be said that staying up late is an invisible health killer that silently erodes our bodies.
Sedentary lifestyles have become the norm in modern life, especially among people who work in offices. Sitting in front of a computer for long periods of time without adequate physical activity can lead to poor blood circulation and increased blood viscosity, which increases the risk of blood clots.
These blood clots can block blood vessels in the brain, causing bleeding in the brain. Like a river that does not flow for a long time, sitting for a long time will make the blood more viscous in the "river channel", which may eventually trigger the rupture of the "dam" - blood vessels.
Long-term excessive alcohol consumption and smoking are important factors leading to intracerebral hemorrhage. Alcohol directly damages the lining of blood vessels, and long-term heavy drinking can lead to an increase in blood pressure, which negatively affects blood vessels and increases the risk of blood vessel rupture.
Smoking causes blood vessels to constrict, increasing the risk of arteriosclerosis and thrombosis, which significantly increases the likelihood of intracerebral hemorrhage. The destruction of blood vessels by these two habits is like constantly hitting a tube with a hammer, and over time, the tube will inevitably burst.
To reduce the risk of intracerebral hemorrhage, get enough sleep and avoid staying up late to reduce stress on the brain and heart. Getting 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night helps maintain normal blood pressure levels and cardiovascular health.
Exercise promotes blood circulation, reduces blood viscosity, and prevents thrombosis. Aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking or cycling, helps keep your blood vessels healthy.
Reduce alcohol intake and quit smoking altogether to reduce damage to blood vessels. Data show that after 5 years of quitting smoking, the risk of stroke can be reduced to a similar level as that of non-smokers.
By improving our lifestyle habits, we can not only significantly reduce the risk of intracerebral hemorrhage, but also improve our overall quality of life. A healthy lifestyle is the key to preventing intracerebral hemorrhage, which requires perseverance and effort from each of us.
Just like building a strong flood control levee, only by constantly consolidating and strengthening it can it effectively resist the invasion of disease. Every healthy choice is building a strong barrier for our own lives to protect our brain and body.
Dietary
A high-salt diet can lead to sodium and water retention in the body, increasing blood volume, which can lead to an increase in blood pressure. Long-term high blood pressure is one of the main risk factors for intracerebral hemorrhage.
According to The Lancet, in 2017, there were as many as 3 million cardiovascular deaths worldwide due to excessive salt consumption.
In addition, a high-salt diet may also increase the inflammatory response, leading to impaired vascular endothelial function and exacerbated vasoconstriction, which may eventually lead to blood vessel rupture.
Long-term intake of high-salt foods is like pressurizing the body's "water pump", which may eventually lead to the "pipe" bursting.
A high-fat diet affects the lipid balance in the blood, increases the content of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and promotes the development of atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis is another important cause of intracerebral hemorrhage because it makes the walls of blood vessels fragile and prone to rupture.
Trans fats and saturated fats in high-fat foods can affect blood cholesterol levels, triggering hardening of the arteries, plaque, and more. This eating habit is like accumulating garbage in the blood vessels, which eventually blocks the blood flow and leads to serious consequences.
To prevent intracerebral hemorrhage, salt intake should be reduced to no more than 5 grams per person per day. Salt intake can be controlled by using low-sodium salt, reducing the intake of processed foods, and carefully reviewing food nutrition labels.
Choosing fresh ingredients instead of canned food and using other alternatives to salt for flavoring can effectively reduce salt intake.
Moderate intake of unsaturated fatty acids, such as omega-3 fatty acids, which are commonly found in fish and certain vegetable oils. At the same time, reduce your intake of saturated fats and trans fats, which are commonly found in baked and fried foods.
Whole grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables are rich in dietary fiber, which helps lower cholesterol and blood pressure. For example, eating oats, brown rice, and beans daily can help improve digestive health and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Eat foods rich in vitamins and minerals, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, which are rich in vitamins C and E, which help to enhance the elasticity and antioxidant capacity of blood vessels.
Eating more citrus fruits, nuts and leafy greens can boost immunity and protect cardiovascular health.
By improving our eating habits, we can not only enjoy delicious food, but also live a healthier life for a longer period of time. Let's work together to build a carefree future, starting with what we eat.
References are as follows:
[1] The research results of Chinese experts on cerebral hemorrhage were listed in the 2023 Global Stroke New Progress
[2] [Guideline interpretation] 2022 AHA/ASA guidelines: management of patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (9. prevention)
[3] Research progress on the mechanism and treatment of intracerebral hemorrhage
[4] Risk factor analysis and risk nomogram model construction of intracerebral hemorrhage in young people